To create the eyes, I’ve put a dot with a black marker on
the head of the duck, where I wanted to put the eyes of the mallard. There I’ve
drilled an undeep, tiny hole with an 0,4 mm drill, then I’ve painted with black
paint the inside of this tiny hole and I’ve glued in a black no-hole bead.

I've searched for some photos on the internet for the colors and on that
basis I've painted the mallards. Initially I've used soft pastels, but because some of these colors (of the soft pastel) didn't stick properly to the clay, I've
switched to acrylic paint.

Looking for something else I came across this small bottle,
I've ever bought in a hobby shop: Smooch, a kind of pearlized accent ink. I
thought this nice color would be perfect for the head of the mallard, but no, it was much too shiny for this poor chap. So I tried to get this ink off his
head again, but I succeeded partly. So I just painted a bit of matt green acrylic
paint on his head, now it looks just good :).

Dear Ilona, you are Amazing!!! The little webbed feet are too too perfect!!! And the nest with both of them there is just awesome! I am reminded of the very famous children's book by Robert McClosky called "Make Way for Ducklings".... about the adventures of the Mallard family in the center of Boston.... I have no idea if there are translations... but it is a Wonderful story! There are even bronze statues of the Mallard family in the Park in Boston!I Just love your pollarded willow and the Duck family with their nest!!!

Dear Ilona, the detail on these tiny ducks is incredible! Loved the picture where he is watching his tiny webbed feet drying hi hi, soo sweet! You have such patience and such an eye for detail. Thank you for all your kind words at my blog, wish you the loveliest weekend, blessings, Pam xx

Did I ever ask you if there is anything you can't... eh... wait a minute... oh, yes... I DID ask you this before... several times... almost always whenever you're showing your newest wonders! ;O) Rembrandt is awesome... wonderful, wonderful work - on both of them... and the picture of the couple in the tree looks like a real photo. You're incredible and sooooo talented... but I guess I might have said this before... Btw - the photo of Rembrandt looking at his feet to finally dry was priceless!

Hi IlonaI am always amazed by the marvellous and intricate work you do. The ducks are brilliant! You must have wonderful eyesight and a very steady hand.... my downfall I'm afraid! LOL.Brilliant work, I love it all!!All the bestVivian

Illona, as usual, you have created something incredibly wonderful. Have I said I am amazed at your capabilities? I am beginning to sound like a broken record, my comments are all the same. Total and complete awe at your talent for capturing realism.

Good Evening Ilona! Your mallard duck gazing at his own feet, just centimeters in front of him, "Quacked" Me Up! hahahhah I would have never thought to look to the internet for an illustration of a ducks anatomy to use as a sculpting guide. Good thinking! Even so, knowing how to transfer that information into something that is painted like a duck, and looks like a duck, is what makes YOU An Artist in every sense of the word. It appears that YOU have painted a REMBRANDT

Ilona, how are you? How is your spring going? Will you soon send cranes to us? ;) We are still in the middle of the winter. Though it have been very warm lately. -On my walks I sometimes meet mallards. All birds are not traveling to the south you know. :D Two weeks ago we saw something amazing: a white mallard! white mallards are quite rare. Aren't they? -Ilona, I love your bird couple!Surely they'll have a huge happy family soon. Can't wait to see their babies. :)-Spring greetings!

Ilona, Beautiful work! Both he and his mate are wonderful! The finished works look so realistic! I was so very interested in seeing how you created them. You have done a fantastic job here! xoxox Christel

Goodness Ilona! This post really blew me away! So so great. There is a couple living near our house in a ditch, every spring they come and stop for a while, before finding a better nesting place. Such a funny couple. I fell in love with your work.